. >> reporter: nsa leaker edward snowden exposed the secret monitoring programs that have rattled the public's trust. the president is facing questions about snowden's temporary asylum status in russia, and his own canceled meeting with the russian president. >> you think, our decision to not participate in the summit was not simply around mr. snowden. it had to do with the fact that frankly, on a whole range of issues, where we think we can make some progress, russia has not moved. >> reporter: he took reporters' questions as he prepared to leave for a family vacation at martha's vineyard. at the white house, marlie hall, wjz eyewitness news. >> president obama also condemmed new anti-gay measures in russia, but said he did not think it would be appropriate for the u.s. to boycott the 2014 winter olympics in russia. >>> president obama is expected to sign a bipartisan bill that will slash interest rates on student loans. the house passed the measure late last month. white house officials say the plan will save millions of students an average of $1500 on loans they take out this schoo